Hera.
He turned to face the goddess.
“Hades,” she purred.
“No,” Hades said.
He was done with her and her labors. The goddess looked stunned for a second before her cheeks grew flushed with anger.
“You forget you are under my control,” she said. “I decide your future with your beloved Persephone.”
“I would think carefully on how you decide my fate, Hera,” Hades said. “Because I decide yours.”
She blanched. “What do you mean?”
“I was not eager to get involved when you decided you wanted to overthrow Zeus again, but since then, I have learned of your alliance with Theseus, and now I have no other choice but to choose a side.”
Her eyes darkened. “Are you saying you are with Zeus?”
“No,” he replied. “I am on no one’s side but my own.”
“Why am I not surprised?” she said through her teeth. “Your only loyalty is to yourself.”
“Wrong,” Hades said. “I am extremely loyal to those I care about, though you are not one of them. Perhaps you could say the same if you truly cared for anyone.”
She lifted her head. “So what are you going to do now? Tell Zeus? Have him hang me from the sky?”
“No,” he said. “But I want your favor in exchange for the secret, and I’d like to cash it in now.”
“Let me guess. You want my blessing for your marriage?”
“I don’t just want your blessing,” Hades said. “I want you to defend it.”
The goddess swallowed hard, and Hades knew she was weighing her options. She had been punished by Zeus before for her insolence, but this was different and she knew it. She’d helped Theseus kill three deities, and it was likely when Zeus found out about her involvement with Theseus, he’d call forth the Furies to enact Divine retribution. The only reason Hades had not done so was because only Zeus could punish his queen.
“Fine,” Hera said at last. “You have my blessing.”
Hades did not thank her. Instead, he started toward the stairs but paused to look upon her once more before offering a final warning.
“This is not a war you survive, Hera.”
It would be up to her to believe him or not.
* * *
Hades returned to the Underworld and changed into the clothes Hermes had left for him. He had almost dreaded asking for help, knowing the god would react with an overwhelming amount of enthusiasm—and Hades had not been wrong—though Hermes had made him work for it.
“You need my help?” he’d asked.
“Yes, Hermes,” Hades had said, frustrated. “I need your help.”
“With fashion.”
Hades did not consider this fashion. He was asking to be dressed down, and those were clothes he did not own. Still, he knew Hermes would not appreciate that.
“Yes,” he hissed, trying to remain calm.
“Hmm. I may be able to pencil you in…though, I am always willing to do favors for my best friends.”
Hades glared, and Hermes raised his brows.
“Persephone is your best friend. This is for her.”
“But Persephone admits she’s my best friend,” Hermes said.
“Does it mean as much when I say it?”
“It’s like saying I love you,” Hermes explained. “I might know it, but it’s good to hear.”
There was a long pause, then Hades mumbled, “You’re my best friend.”
“What was that?” Hermes asked. “I couldn’t hear you.”
“You’re my best friend,” Hades repeated quickly.
“Ah, once more, with feeling.”
Hades glared and said deliberately, “You’re my best friend.”
Hermes preened. “I’ll have something for you by the evening.”
And he had held to his word, leaving a black shirt, pants, and a pair of riding boots for the evening. Once he was changed, Hades went to the library, where he waited for Persephone to return to the Underworld.
Luckily, he did not have to wait long, though when she spotted him, she halted, as if surprised.
“What are you wearing?” she asked at seeing his outfit, a smile curving her pretty lips.
“I have a surprise for you.”
“Those pants are definitely a surprise.”
The corner of Hades’s mouth lifted, despite not knowing how to take her reaction. Did she like these clothes? Perhaps he should have just worn his suit, though riding horseback would have been decidedly uncomfortable. He decided not to ask and instead reached for her hand.
“Come.”
He led her outside, where Alastor and Aethon waited for them. Of his four sable-black horses, these two could not be more opposite. Aethon was impatient and dreaded being locked in the stables at night. Alastor was far more calm, and he preferred being alone. Despite this, Hades knew he was the best horse for Persephone due to his loyal and gentle nature.
“Oh, they’re beautiful,” Persephone said, and the horses liked her praise, snorting and bobbing their heads. Hades didn’t blame them—he felt the same beneath her approval.
“They say thank you,” he said with a laugh. “Would you like to ride?”
“Yes!” she said with more enthusiasm than he expected, but it made him happy. Then she hesitated. “But…I’ve never…”
“I’ll teach you,” he said quickly and once again took her hands, guiding her forward.
“This is Alastor.”
“Alastor,” she said and stroked his nose. Alastor lowered even more, urging her to scratch his head. Persephone giggled and obeyed. “You are magnificent.”
Aethon gave an envious bray.
“Careful,” Hades warned. “Aethon will be jealous.”
Persephone smirked and reached to pet Aethon too. “Oh, you are both magnificent.”
“Careful, I might get jealous,” Hades said, then took up Alastor’s reins. “Put your foot in the stirrup,” he instructed Persephone. “Lift yourself up and swing your leg over, then sit down gently.”
She followed as he advised, and once she was seated, he continued.
“If you become afraid, sink your weight, lean back, and firm up your legs, but my steeds will listen if you speak. Tell them to stop, they will stop. Tell them to slow down, they will slow down.”